First Aid All Padel Players Should Know About
You can never be too careful when it comes to rough-housing. Even with a chill game like padel, we never know what may happen in court.
It’s best to stay alert and prepared for when accidents happen and acute padel injuries need immediate medical attention.
Padel is a fast-paced sport that requires a lot of agility and frequent changes of direction. Ankle sprains and calf strains may occur in a variety of settings.
The PRICE concept is the standard therapy for most acute injuries. This acronym stands for protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
When sudden mishaps happen to lead to injuries these should be on the top of your head:
- Reduce swelling and discomfort
- Ensure a successful recovery by makign sure proper first aid is applied
- Continue therapy for at least 48 hours after the accident occurred
- Get it checked as soon as the pain persists
PRICE is a framework for the treatment of acute injuries, but it must be adapted to the specific kind and location of the damage. Using common-sense is always a good idea. Emergency services should be called if a significant injury has been suspected.
Protection in this sense refers to taking the athlete out of the game in order to prevent additional damage. In the first 48 hours after an injury, this is extremely critical.
Following an injury, the athlete should not engage in any physical activity. For the first 24 hours after a knee injury, it is recommended that the knee be offloaded.
To alleviate discomfort, ice should be used. Using an ice pack every two hours for a few days had a positive impact on my soreness.
Even though commercial ice products are readily accessible, crushed ice and water in a plastic bag are frequently the best answer. A wet towel should be placed between the ice pack and the skin.
Compression is the most crucial part of first therapy for acute knee injuries. Swelling may be reduced by this. Begin by putting an elastic bandage over the knee. Begin just below the knee and work your way up to just above it. If feasible, the bandage should be cinched around the wound as tightly as possible, but not so tightly that blood flow is blocked. Numbness, tingling, and increasing discomfort are all signs that the bandage is excessively tight.
Keeping the knee elevated might help reduce knee swelling. Allow the lower leg to rest on a chair or cushion at a height above the hips. Throughout the first few hours, this is very critical, but for the first 24 hours, it is better to maintain it high. As a reminder, it is important to maintain constant compression in order to minimize internal bleeding (swelling).
Check out this helpful video just in case something untoward happens on the padel court:
Achilles tendonitis
This is a common injury for players of fast-paced sports. Stop your activities and begin PRICE therapy immediately if you sprain your ankle. Compression should be used as soon as possible to avoid swelling and discomfort. For the first 24 hours, do not place any weight on the ankle. If the foot or ankle is dislocated, go to the hospital immediately.
You may learn more about the treatment of acute ankle injuries by clicking here.
If you suspect that a muscle fiber has been ripped, immediately halt your activities. Begin therapy for PRICE as soon as possible. To ensure proper compression, apply it to the region that needs it. Do not put any weight on the muscle for the first 24 hours after an injury occurs.
The Achilles tendon may have been damaged or torn if you hear a snap or crack while walking. Go to the hospital’s emergency department right away. Compression and ice should be used as normal.
